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Concerns raised over a ‘lack’ of traffic policing Drag racing causes mayhem on M’Plain roads, leading to an increase in accidents MELISSA PAPIER
T
HE lack of traffic police personnel has come under fire by the community following a recent spate of accidents in Mitchell’s Plain. The concern was sparked after pedestrian fatalities and an increase in drag racing in the area. CPF cluster chairperson, Michael Jacobs, voiced his concern about the lack of visible traffic policing. He said: “There are many dangerous roads in Mitchell’s Plain, yet there is no real traffic policing. “The MEC of Community Safety’s office needs to get their priorities straight as there are daily fatalities of children on our roads in Mitchell’s Plain. If you go to the more affluent areas you will find traffic police at every corner. Why can’t the same be done for Mitchell’s Plain?” His comment comes after a man was killed on Saturday in Westridge after two cars were allegedly racing. The incident took place at 15:45 on the corner of Dagbreek Avenue and Victory Road, Westridge. It is alleged that the drivers of a grey Toyota Corolla and a white Nissan Sentra were rac-
ing. The Toyota then collided with a horse cart carrying a 35-year-old man. The man died on the scene,” says Constable Jerome Voegt, spokesperson for Mitchell’s Plain Police station. A culpable homicide case was opened and police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. The police still require information on the registration of the Nissan. Anyone who can shed light on the matter can call investigating officer Detective Sergeant Vuyan Claasen on (021) 370-1600. This was the third incident in two weeks where innocent pedestrians were killed by negligent drivers. Securo Jephta (6) was knocked over on 20 February in Sentinel Street, Tafelsig. In a separate incident Mickyle Goff and his uncle Naim Engelman were walking to the Town Centre Library when they were knocked over by a speeding car. The incident took place on 14 February at the intersection of Spine Road and Paulsberg Street, Tafelsig. The pair were on their way to the library to complete one of Mickyle’s school assignments (“Road safety call after death of boy (11),” People’s Post 22 February). Following these incidents Jacobs has been very vocal and publicly expressed his views on the matter. Previous wall posts on Facebook by Jacobs highlights the lack of traffic policing in Mitchell’s Plain. “On average about 80 000 scholars must cross these killer roads to the 79 schools in Mitchell’s Plain on schooling days,” he wrote.
CUTTING EDGE: The recent Muslim Moulood celebrations were held throughout Cape Town, with various events taking place, including recitals and most notably, the leaf cut ting ceremony (rampies). Lemon leaves are cut into tiny pieces, before being scented with rose, lemon and orange oils and wrapped in paper. The women recite prayers while the leaves are being scented. Pictured here are girls from the Madrasatoen Nasiereen, from Beacon Valley in Mitchell’s Plain at their ceremony on Thursday 3 March. Photo: Fatima Alexander
“Scholar patrol systems are certainly an aid to pupils, but it can never be a replacement for adequate visible traffic policing. We hold the City and Province directly accountable for the mayhem and carnage on our roads.” Yesterday Jacobs sent out a stern message to drag racers by posting the following on Facebook: “Dicers be warned, Mitchell’s Plain is waiting for you!” He listed the registration numbers of cars allegedly involved in drag racing on 2 March in Eisleben Road. Another resident, Jeff Hartnick, added that the situation on the roads in Mitchell’s Plain is “getting out of hand”. “These drag racers who indulge in this kind of reckless and dangerous behaviour are killing innocent people and something drastic needs to be done. At night one can hear the cars driving at high speed in the main
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roads,” Hartnick said. Merle Lourens, Chief inspector for Traffic services for the City of Cape Town, told People’s Post that “there are not sufficient personnel to police the entire area”. “What we have so far at our disposal has to be split between various areas in Cape Town. We are addressing drag racing in all areas and we do have our operations daily. If there are specific concerns, we will address them accordingly. “We can’t patrol in one area alone day and night. We do have Law Enforcement and Metro Police who are assisting, but our resources are split.” Lourens added that there are traffic officers working in Mitchell’s Plain on different shifts. “If there any concerns we want people to contact us with these concerns,” she said. Residents with complaints about drag racing can call 0860 765 423.
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